Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-18
UNGER'S STORY.
HOW Er KrILrD BoHLEASD DlsKEM-
BEREp HIS CODY.
The Prisoner on the Stand in Bis Own
Defsncs-A Sensational Scene During
His Graphic Recital Of the Murder.
M, ,alerraph % the pIspa.ch. ]

New YORK. February 1.-THE trial
OF Captain Unger for the murder OF
August Bohle became unusually SEN
sational to-day when the prisoner was
placed on the witness-stand by his
counsel. This is the case where the
murdered mans remains we're dismem-
bered, packed in trunk, and shipped
by express to Baltimore to
fictitious address. Unger gave
history of his life since reaching
manhood /: from which it appears that
he made creditable record IN the
navy during the late war, rising from
seamans berth to the command OF a
disyatch-boat. He is now lame from
the effects of wound and lost his
hearing from the conclusion OF NOR
tar explosion. His story of how
he formed Bodies acquaintance
and how Bohle finally went to live
with him has been often published.
Unger relates that Bohle was
morose, quarrelsome, and abusive IN
his speech. On the morning of the
murder Boble became offensive in his
talk and Unger sent his children out
on made-up errands. After they were
alone Bohle,soon became violent again,
snatched up a long knife from a table,
and started for Unger with the evident
intent to kill him. Unger hastE
seized hammer that was in reach and
struck Bohle on the topof his head. I'M
gers left hand WAS cut and he saved
lis life by grasping Bodies sleeve and
preventing him using the knife as he
intended. The hammer crushed Bodies
skull and he fell on the sofa dead. I'm
gers recital was very dramatic, and he
was worked up to high pitch of ex-
element as he described Bodies as
sault and illustrated his own move
ments in grasping the arm, holding the
descending knife, and striking back
with the hammer.
"You knew August Bohle was dead,
said his counsel quietly.
"Yes, sir, answered Unger. in sub
dued tones. 81 knew that he was
dead and thought what should do.
It was nearly 10 O'Clock and my boy
would soon be back. so / pulled ont
the settee, put Bohle behind it, and
wiped the blood off the sofa. Then L
| got ready to receive my boy. When
he came l told him Bohle was gone
and he went to bed"
Unger related the story of the night
of horror which passed while the body
| of Bohle was behind the cot. He had
fitful sleep, broken by horrible dreams,
and in each of these Bohle appeared,
standing at his bed. Unger would start
up and spring out of bed Again and
again this was repeated. Then the
story of how he cut upth remains was
told in all its minute details. The head
would not go into the trunk with all his
efforts. Unger wrapped it up in piece
of cloth with some scraps of iron and
dropped it off the ferry-boat. The
trunk was so full without it that Unger
was obliged to bear the weight of his
body upon the lid in closing it.
Unger said in closing 81 don't
know, but it don't seem that did it..
| don't seem to be awake. | am a
miserable man. / seem to be dream
ing. | certainly did it in self-defence.
l can't blame myself. am misera-
bic man."
Unger's voice sank lower and grew
more husky, until his words were scarce
~ audible. The courtroom was still as
death during his recital. The jury
leaned forward to catch every syllable.
When he was through every eye was
onIhim as he came down from the stand.
After recess, upon cross-examinat.on,
Unger said he supposed that Bohle
had about 5000 when he came to live
with him. Unger again described the
fracas infinitely and without the slight
est variation from his former relation.
At the request of his lawyer Unger
looked the jury squarely and untlinch-
ingly in the face and said: 81 have
/ told you all I know about it," The
defence rested.
Tomorrow the prosecution will in
troduce one or two witnesses in rebut-
tai, and the case will be given to the
| jury no doubt